Hamas Rejects Arab Statement Labeling Hizbullah 'Terrorist'

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas rejected on Monday an Arab League resolution labeling Lebanon's Hizbullah a “terrorist” organization.

In a statement the party said it "rejects the description of the Lebanese Hizbullah resistance movement as terrorist."

Instead, it added, Israel's actions against Palestinians should be labeled "terrorism."

It also called on Arab states to "support the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people" and urged them to work together to solve their differences through dialogue.

On Sunday Arab League members adopted a resolution saying they would hold the "terrorist Lebanese Hizbullah... responsible for supporting terrorism and terrorist organizations in Arab countries, with modern weapons and ballistic missiles."

The resolution came amid soaring tensions between regional arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran -- Hizbullah's backer.

Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power, have for decades stood on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East including in Syria and Yemen.

Despite being Sunni, Hamas has long been seen as an ally of Iran.

Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008. Hizbullah for its part fought Israel in 2006 and had spearheaded military operations against Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon prior to the Israeli withdrawal in the year 2000.